Drive to explore council

A campaigner hopes to work full time ‘shining a light’ on the workings of Sheffield Council after launching a fundraising bid.

Nigel Slack wants to increase the transparency and openness of local authorities in the region, as well as encouraging more people to get involved.

His first major projects would be getting Sheffield Council to webcast meetings live and to run a regular politics show on television station Sheffield Live.

The 53-year-old, of Highfield, said: “What I really have a passion for is shining a light into the dark corners of how decisions are made.”

Nigel, who is known for his work with Sheffield for Democracy and highlighting a £9m ‘gravy train’ profit from private council contracts, is hoping to raise £18,000 through crowdfunding – where donations made online pay for a project.

The money would cover costs and a salary for a year so he could attend meetings and scrutinise decisions full time rather than on a part-time basis.

He would be independent from any parties, make his accounts public and work with authorities to improve services – also giving praise when due.

Urging people to donate what they could, Nigel added: “What I am looking to do is not sexy stuff, sometimes it is dull, but it is important.

“If I can get another 100 people interested in politics it is 100 more than yesterday.”